Both my wife and I sometimes experience the "red wine headache," and both of us find that pinot noir is the one red that doesn't cause it. I'm just curious if this is true for anyone else.
red wine and headaches
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I seem to get them from all red wines, but only after I pass a certain point. Two, sometimes three, glasses (normal size, 2-3oz) usually wont do it, but if I ever go above that I get the worst headache I've ever felt.
Perhaps pinot noir is low on the sulfites that generally cause those headaches.
Perhaps pinot noir is low on the sulfites that generally cause those headaches.
And aren't the sulfites from the Oak barrels that are used to age the wines? I get these too, but I find if I drink non oak aged wine I'm fine. There are some merlots that are like that. But again, YMMV on this.
It's a common misconception that sulfites cause headaches. Those that are sensitive to them, will experience it even after one glass, and it is a very rare sensitivity.
I wonder if the Pinot grape is less tannic because the skins are so thin... just saw "Sideways" for the first time the other day so I picked that up.
On a wine tour in Napa, I was told that many people have reactions to reds because of the histamine and tannin contents (especially in younger wines). Sulfites are usually not a factor. In fact, many whites have a higher sulfite content.
The tour guide recommended I take a small dose of antihistamine beforehand. I find that if I take 1/2 a Benadryl tablet before drinking red wine I'm much better off.
I get a scratchy throat, stuffy nose, and a raging headache from most reds when I don't take the antihistamine. It kind of sucks because I love most red varieties, but if I want to drink them I have to plan on being drowsy and a little loopy...which, I guess, is not far from my normal self anyway
The tour guide recommended I take a small dose of antihistamine beforehand. I find that if I take 1/2 a Benadryl tablet before drinking red wine I'm much better off.
I get a scratchy throat, stuffy nose, and a raging headache from most reds when I don't take the antihistamine. It kind of sucks because I love most red varieties, but if I want to drink them I have to plan on being drowsy and a little loopy...which, I guess, is not far from my normal self anyway
A thing that could help to prevent headaches is to drink the same quantity of water. For each glass of wine, have a glass of water. That will reduce it with consideration but your blatter will get full quicker.
I never added preservatives to my homemade wines. I can drink those without any problems. When I get a more 'commercial' wine, it's a rough morning. It might all be in my head but the bigger the vineyard, the bigger the headache. I usually go to the small vineyards around here (so small you cannot get those in bottle shops) and I am fine with those.
I try to cut preservatives as much as I can in wine and food (even beer). What I notice is that I am not as tolerant now as I used to be. I had wines that I loved a couple years ago and now I can't seem to be able to process them as well.
As for Pinot vs Sulfites, it doesn't mean anything. The winemaker is the one adding them in the process. The quantity is not always regulated...
I never added preservatives to my homemade wines. I can drink those without any problems. When I get a more 'commercial' wine, it's a rough morning. It might all be in my head but the bigger the vineyard, the bigger the headache. I usually go to the small vineyards around here (so small you cannot get those in bottle shops) and I am fine with those.
I try to cut preservatives as much as I can in wine and food (even beer). What I notice is that I am not as tolerant now as I used to be. I had wines that I loved a couple years ago and now I can't seem to be able to process them as well.
As for Pinot vs Sulfites, it doesn't mean anything. The winemaker is the one adding them in the process. The quantity is not always regulated...
Tannins are, indeed the major culprit.
Low tannin varietals include Pinot Noir (as already noted) as well as Gamay (the grape used in Beaujolais), and Italian Sangiovese.
If they're aged in new oak barrels, however, the tannin content skyrockets.
Tannins will also break down over time, so aged fine wine shouldn't give much of a headache (unless you're the one paying for it
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alan
Low tannin varietals include Pinot Noir (as already noted) as well as Gamay (the grape used in Beaujolais), and Italian Sangiovese.
If they're aged in new oak barrels, however, the tannin content skyrockets.
Tannins will also break down over time, so aged fine wine shouldn't give much of a headache (unless you're the one paying for it
)--------------
alan
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Ostensibly, black tea helps with some of the supposed causes of red wine headache (other than sulfite sensitivity).
I definitely get less of a wine hangover from pinot noirs--I suppose this might be why noirs are one of my favourite wines (tied with cabernet sauvignon).
I'm glad to see I'm not alone. I look at a red wine and get a headache. The condition has improved for some odd reason. When I'm totally relaxed I am less prone to them. And there was a point when I was eating Advil like candy and cut back to zero. This helped quite a bit. Luc, I've tried the water routine. Doesn't work. The antihistamine scheme that Walter mentions above sounds very interesting and "loopy" seems to be the anticipated outcome. Do Not Operate Heavy Machinery. (And be sure the kids are out late 
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I'm glad to see I'm not alone. I look at a red wine and get a headache. The condition has improved for some odd reason. When I'm totally relaxed I am less prone to them. And there was a point when I was eating Advil like candy and cut back to zero. This helped quite a bit. Luc, I've tried the water routine. Doesn't work. The antihistamine scheme that Walter mentions above sounds very interesting and "loopy" seems to be the anticipated outcome. Do Not Operate Heavy Machinery. (And be sure the kids are out late
Intresting, it doesn't always work on everyone... Bummer!
My wife suffers from migraines and her neurologist told her to avoid (among other things) red wine in order to decrease their frequency.
i also think it is to do with flavonoids, and adequate hydration before and throughout the evening. if indulging beyond the recommended drinking limit, vitamin b1(thiamin) might be of assistance before bed. your choice, a berocca or a big spoonful of vegemite.
interesting about the antihistamine. could be credence in that.
Anyone here a wine chemist or have contact with any?
interesting about the antihistamine. could be credence in that.
Anyone here a wine chemist or have contact with any?
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On a wine tour in Napa, I was told that many people have reactions to reds because of the histamine and tannin contents (especially in younger wines). Sulfites are usually not a factor. In fact, many whites have a higher sulfite content.
The tour guide recommended I take a small dose of antihistamine beforehand. I find that if I take 1/2 a Benadryl tablet before drinking red wine I'm much better off.
I get a scratchy throat, stuffy nose, and a raging headache from most reds when I don't take the antihistamine. It kind of sucks because I love most red varieties, but if I want to drink them I have to plan on being drowsy and a little loopy...which, I guess, is not far from my normal self anyway
I have been taught that it is, in fact, the histamines in red wine that cause the legendary headache.
I don't get it too bad as long as I keep my consumption low. What red wine does to me is that it completely disrupts my sleep patterns. Screws me up worse than a hangover.
I seem to get an equal headache across all the grape varietals if I drink too much...just lucky I guess. Never noticed Pinot Noir acting any less belligerently towards my noggin come morning.
G
gone down south
The tour guide recommended I take a small dose of antihistamine beforehand. I find that if I take 1/2 a Benadryl tablet before drinking red wine I'm much better off.
<snip>
I have to plan on being drowsy and a little loopy...which, I guess, is not far from my normal self anyway
Benadryl is the nuclear option of antihistamines, guaranteed to knock you flat on your butt no matter what. I've had much better luck with some of the newer over the counter allergy pills, they're pretty close to side-effect free.
Benadryl always works for me with reds, but newer antihistamines don't work for me with wine consumption. Although, I don't think I've tried Zyrtec with wine yet. Zyrtec is absolutely awesome for my nasal allergies, so maybe I'll use it as an excuse to crack a bottle of wine the next time I'm taking the big Z.
I've been researching this a bit since reading this thread yesterday. I found this (as well as dozens of others) link: http://www.wineintro.com/basics/health/headaches.html
Not sure if what the author is saying about 'wine culture' in Europe vs. the U.S. is true, but the thing he says about Apricots with sulfites and tannins in Tea are echoed on other websites about wines and their physiological effects. I can eat dried apricots and drink strong black oolong all day with no issues. Which leads me back to histamines.
The author says that strawberries contain histamines, but I have no problems eating strawberries, or any other fruits. In fact, I can eat red grapes without issues, too (although I'm sure sweet Red Flame grapes are vastly different than most wine grapes).
So I'm thinking maybe the concentration of histamines is higher in wines. Like one glass = eating 5 lbs of grapes or something, because I definitely have allergy issues with most newer vintage reds. Or maybe the histamines are unique to the grapes and thus I'm not affected by strawberries but still sensitive to wines.
All I know is that it makes me sad that Red Wine is sort of on my 'Forbidden' list, because I like it and it has well documented positive health effects. That's a very rare combination. Maybe if I drink very tiny doses I can inoculate myself.
